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OFFICE OF THE DIACONATE DIACONAL FORMATION

CANDIDATE PATH OF FORMATION

INTRODUCTION The candidate path in diaconal formation is the occasion for continued discernment of a diaconal and immediate preparation for . Throughout this path of formation, the candidate himself assumes the primary responsibility for his discernment and development. The candidate must show responsibility and dynamism responding with generosity to God’s call and he should be determined to grow in life according to the Spirit and in conformity with the vocation received.

LENGTH OF FORMATION In accord with Canon Law, the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent , the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States, and our diocesan needs, the period of candidate formation is four years. Readiness for ordination is assessed annually by both the candidate and the Council of Formators to ascertain what level of achievement the candidate has reached in his understanding of the diaconal vocation, its responsibilities, and its obligations. Assessment also includes: 1. His growth in the spiritual life 2. His competency in required diaconal knowledge and skills 3. His practical experience in pastoral ministry 4. His witness of human and affective maturity 5. If candidate is married, an appraisal of his wife’s readiness and consent is also to be made.

CANDIDATE PATH: AN INTEGRAL AND SUBSTANTIVE PROGRAM The objective is to guarantee the implementation of an integral and substantive program of formation that adequately prepares a candidate to represent the as a . The program includes: 1. Class preparation, participation and attendance 2. Seminars and workshops 3. Field education placements 4. Theological reflection 5. Spiritual growth 6. Individual spiritual direction

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DIMENSIONS OF FORMATION IN THE CANDIDATE PATH

HUMAN DIMENSION The aim of this dimension is to continue to build on the human qualities already discerned during the aspirant period, developing them and adding necessary skills for an effective and responsible diaconal ministry. Emphasis in human formation is placed on: • Relational and collaborative qualities and skills (strengths and limitations) • Acknowledgement of personal gifts • Development of the habit of authentic self-criticism in light of the • Integration of personal, familial, work and ministerial responsibilities

SPIRITUAL DIMENSION The goal of spiritual formation is to help the candidate grow (increase) in holiness by equipping and motivating him to lay a foundation upon which he may continue his spiritual growth after ordination.

The spiritual goal can be further divided, but not limited, to the following: 1. Help the candidate to increase in holiness by deepening and cultivating his commitment to Christ and the Church; 2. Assist the candidate in discerning whether he has a vocation to the diaconate; 3. Help him deepen his prayer life: personal, familial, communal, and liturgical; 4. Instill in the candidate a commitment to pray daily for the Church, especially through the Liturgy of the Hours; 5. Strengthen the candidate’s personal charisms he has already demonstrated in his life; 6. Help the candidate integrate his new commitment to prepare for the diaconate with his previous commitments to his family and professional employment 7. Acquaint the candidate with the relationship between spirituality and his commitment to the Church’s ministry of charity and justice; 8. Acquaint the candidate with classical and contemporary spiritual writings and the witness of the ; and 9. Prepare the candidate for the challenges of spiritual leadership that his ministry will entail.

The primary objective is to assist the candidate in achieving a spiritual integration of his: • His life • His family • His work • His apostolic service. In order to accomplish this objective, the candidate is thoroughly introduced to the theology and spirituality of work as a vocation, an apostolate, and a profession.

Spiritual Director All through formation the candidate will have the assistance of a spiritual director who will help him to cultivate regular patterns of prayer and sacramental participation and to reflect spiritually on his ministry.

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Small Prayer Groups All through formation the candidates will be small prayer groups to engage together to reflect theologically on the challenges and opportunities of their ministries in relationship to and magisterial teaching.

Perpetual Celibacy Throughout the formation process it is proper and suitable that the candidate’s spiritual director and the formation team ascertain the candidate’s understanding, willingness, and capacity to accept the Church’s discipline regarding perpetual celibacy; this applies to both not married and married men.

INTELLECTUAL DIMENSION The intellectual formation of the candidate is oriented toward diakonia, providing him with the knowledge and appreciation of the faith that he needs in order to carry out his ministry of word, liturgy and charity. The course of study is complete and in harmony with the magisterial teaching of the Church. The core content of studies seeks to provide the future deacon with sufficient knowledge to be a reliable witness of the faith and spokesperson for the Church’s teaching. The intellectual formation will equip the candidate for leadership, participation in the new evangelization, and for effective heralding of the Gospel in today’s society. Prominence is given to Scripture, liturgy, evangelization and missiology.

Core Content of Theological Studies The core introduces the candidate to the essentials of Christian doctrine and practice. Foundational documents include: • Sacred Scripture • Documents • Catechism of the • Code of Canon Law • Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church • Directory for Catechesis

List of core courses according to their respective theological area. Sacred Scripture Dogmatic Moral Theology Historical Canon Law Spirituality Theology Theology Pentateuch Fundamental Catholic Social Patristics General Doctrine Introduction Spirituality Prophets Church History Triune God Fundamental Canon Law and Spiritual Theology Wisdom Moral History of the Marriage Psalms Catholic Church Theological and Bioethics in the United Obligations and Moral Virtues Synoptic Theological States Rights of Anthropology Social- Clerics Johannine Literature Ministerial Ethics Office of Pauline Literature Teaching and Sanctification

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Hebrews and Human Sexuality Interreligious and of Catholic and Dialogue Holy Matrimony Pastoral Letters Sacrament of Biblical themes of Holy Orders justice and peace

Missiology and New Evangelization

Pastoral Dimension Engagement in a wide diversity of pastoral field education placements will give the candidate greater awareness of the needs and mission of the diocesan Church and will assist him in the discernment and development of his own talents and gifts. The pastoral placements provide opportunities for theological reflection and integration of intellectual knowledge into pastoral service. Emphasis is also given to the study of the role of culture in human, spiritual and pastoral formation and candidates will get a significant grounding in the Church’s social doctrine.

Liturgy Word Charity

Introduction to Liturgy Theological Reflection

Rite of Proclamation of the Word Pastoral Counseling

RCIA Catechetical Pedagogy Pastoral Care of Family

Rite of Holy Matrimony History and Theology of Preaching Ministry to the Sick

Rite of Christian Burial Introduction to Homiletics Ministry to the Poor

The Liturgical Preaching Ministry to the Incarcerated

Liturgical Rubrics Homiletics for specific celebrations Hospital and Hospice Chaplaincy

Introduction to sacred music

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